This Pelicans-Bulls trade proposal sends Zach LaVine to NOLA

One NBA writer is proposing that the New Orleans Pelicans acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls in a blockbuster trade.

Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed that the Pelicans trade CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis and two draft picks in 2024 to the Bulls for LaVine.

“This deal makes sense from both franchises’ perspectives,” Tran wrote. “For the Bulls, LaVine is arguably their best NBA trade asset. They are not good enough to compete with him, and the best move is to trade him for value while they still can. Even though teams are lower on LaVine than before, getting some prospects and first-round picks for him is entirely doable. LaVine would also want to go somewhere he can compete for a championship, and the Pelicans are a team that fits the bill.

“The Pelicans are a natural partner for any team that is ready to move their star. They have a good amount of trade assets and a number of stackable contracts that can match up with almost any star-level player’s deal. From their perspective, it makes sense to go for LaVine as well: he is younger than McCollum and is also a competitive-ready player that can help the Pelicans go for a championship immediately.”

The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 NBA season ended. LaVine has appeared in 348 games with the Bulls. He’s averaging 24.5 points with Chicago and has made two All-Star teams.

However, the Bulls have won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade. The 28-year-old LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls last NBA season. He will make $40 million next season.

Chicago missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs believe the franchise should rebuild this offseason. The Bulls want a young player with upside and multiple draft picks if they trade LaVine, who has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Timberwolves and Bulls. He’s one of the best scorers in the NBA, averaging 25.4 points over the last three seasons.

The Pelicans would have a lethal Big 3 of LaVine, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram if Lee’s trade proposal went through. LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million deal with the Bulls in July 2022. The UCLA product is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network, so his future is something to keep an eye on.